Chapter 9

The garden of Godric's Hollow was indeed enchanting and Ginny didn't find it difficult to say the right words as her eyes admiringly wandered over the red roses. Harry smiled sadly and Ginny raised one hand, gently touching his cheek.

"I'm sure that she can see her garden and that she's proud of you."

Harry looked at her and for one moment he laid his hand on hers.

"Come. You've not seen all yet," he said finally and led her on.

But they had merely taken a few steps as a loud voice boomed through the garden.

"Harry! Ginny! The tea is getting cold!"

"Yes, Yes! We're coming!" Harry shouted back and Ginny smiled. Harry could not have waited for showing her the garden and his father had also not been able to dissuade him from doing so. And since she knew how much the garden meant to him, Ginny had obligingly let herself be dragged into the little garden.

As they reached the terrace, it flashed.

"Sirius! That's enough. There will be enough time for photos later," Remus said reproachfully and tried to take the camera away from Sirius, who stepped back and stuck his tongue out to Remus.

"Spoilsport."

Ginny watched how Harry and James rolled with their eyes and she had a hard time to suppress a giggle. This family visit promised to turn out completely different and for a moment she felt a sting as she remembered the cool welcome that had awaited Harry in her parent's house. She, on the other hand, had been greeted with such an affectionate exuberance that she had immediately became very attached of Harry's father, Sirius and Remus, whose greeting, though reserved, had not been less friendly.

And all three had immediately insisted that she addressed them with their given names. Sitting down, Ginny looked at the table that brimmed over with innumerable kinds of cakes, and there were not only cakes, but tarts as well, pudding and even ice-cream and several small bowls with different sauces. Ginny stared at the table and wondered who should eat all this.

"Binky and Diri didn't know which cake you liked. So they've made, I think, all sorts."

Ginny flinched slightly, turned her head and looked into Remus' face.

Involuntarily smiling back, she asked,

"Binky and Diri?"

"Our house-elves. When James told them that you were coming, they almost went head over heels from joy. You've to meet them later."

Ginny nodded weakly.

"It was great fun for them, Ginny. And don't worry, we'll manage that. So, what would you like? Raspberry tart? Cherry cake? Chocolate cake?" Sirius interfered, held up a plate and looked at her expectantly.

"Anything that you do not like?" he asked and as Ginny who still was about to decide, shook her head, he unceremoniously piled up a piece of cake after the other on the plate.

"Here, just try everything."

"Harry? James? What do you want?"

The cake was as Ginny established after the first bite, just delicious and her worry that she would not be able to eat up her heaps of cakes, disappeared.

"You've to visit us more often," James Potter said.

"It's really a pity that we weren't allowed to leave Hogwarts over the weekends then."

Looking to the side, he gave Sirius a slight push.

"That would have spared us some trouble, wouldn't it?"

Sirius grinned and soon he and James started to tell themstories about their school days. It did not take long and they could not stop laughing. And Ginny almost didn't recognize Harry anymore. Never had she thought that he could laugh so light-heartedly. Her gaze met with James' Potters and she saw that he must have similar thoughts. He smiled at her, bent forwards and grasped his glass. As the laughter gradually died, he loudly said,

"To Ginny and Harry!"

Ginny felt herself blushing. She drank too hastily and promptly choked. After she had stopped coughing, she leaned back in her chair, feeling slightly tired. She had eaten far too many pieces of the cakes.

Remus kept word and introduced her to the house-elves who were indeed all excited to meet her. But Binky Ginny had already seen. The little house-elf had brought her tea then, in the headquarters of the Dark Lord.

Binky bowed, her eyes beaming.

"Binky is happy to see Miss again."

Ginny smiled and assured Binky that she was also glad. Both made definitely a happy expression and yet she was curious and asked Harry aboutthem. In the same instant she wished that she had not done it. A shadow flitted over his face and he quietly sighed.

"It was their wish and I could not deny them; not, after everything that they did for my mother and me."

Ginny nodded and changed the subject.

"Fred and George are already busy to look around and to plan, by the way. Yesterday and the day before, they were out of the house the whole day. Mum got suspicious already, but until now she knows of nothing."

"Yes, I know. They keep me up to date, though I've never thought that they would throw themselves into their work so quickly. If they continue like that, then I really think that they will open their shop in a month."

Ginny laughed.

„Oh, you should believe them. If they are determined to do something, no-one can stop them."

"In this case I'm reassured. I would not mind to get a share of some millions," Harry said with a twinkle in his eyes,drew her into his arms and kissed her. Nibbling on her earlobe, he suddenly halted and whispered,

"Can't you stay over night?"

Ginny quietly sighed.

"I'd love to, Harry. But I told my parents that I'd come home in the evening. Moreover…"

Breaking the sentence off, Ginny looked up to Harry. She didn't want to spoil the mood and to speak of her parents she didn't want at all.

"It's late already. I should go now, but next time I'll stay whether they approve of it or not," she said, flung the arms around his neck and kissed Harry as passionately as she was able to.

A bawlingwhistle caused Ginny to flinch. Turning around, she looked into the beaming face of Sirius' who waved at them with the camera in his hand and hastily retreated behind a tree.

Harry shook his head.

"Ah, I think if you really will stay overnight, we've to come up with some precautions."

Ginny laughed when seeing Harry's thoughtful mien and was surprised to notice that she was not bothered in the slightest by Sirius' appearance. While walking back to the house so that Ginny could say good-bye, Ginny realized that Harry's father and his friends had included her in their family this afternoon. They had not only given her the feeling to belong to them.

They had made it clear in a simple and subtle way. Ginny knew that they hadn't needed to tell her that James and Sirius were Animagi, something that was not known to anyone, neither to the former Order of the Phoenix nor to the Ministry. Yet they had done it and they hadn't even asked her to maintain strict silence about it. Harry loved her and that was completely enough for James, Sirius and Remus.

James embraced her slightly.

„Come back soon, Ginny. You are always welcomed. Even in the middle of the night, so if you want to see Harry just come over."

Returning the embrace, Ginny nodded. She hadn't any time to blush since James pushed her to Sirius.

"But do not be frightened, if you stumble over a large dog, Ginny. I often sneak around the house," he said with an entire serious face and also hugged her briefly, while Ginny tried to decide whether it had been a joke or not.

Remus shook her hand, but his smile was full of warmth.

To her surprise and delight Harry insisted upon Rainbow bringing her home. And he came along, too.

"Didn't you say that you can't stand to apparate?"

Ginny didn't answer while leaning closer to Harry and savouring the feeling of the wind against her face. To her disappointment, the flight was far too soon over.

As Ginny gazed after Harry, flying away on his phoenix, a strange determination rose in her.

In two weeks Bill would celebrate his birthday and she would see to it that Harry would be invited too and this time it would be different. One week ago she had avoided any confrontation, but today she would speak with her family, would tell them in no uncertain terms what she had thought of their behavior last weekend.

And one thing would hit her mother. That she had allowed that one visitor of the Burrow felt uncomfortable whether it had been on purpose or only out of worry for her. With the twins it had function, after all, so why should a bad conscience not bring her other brothers and above all her parents to change their behaviour, too? And she could also be persistent, if she wanted. Turning abruptly around, Ginny marched with long strides towards the house.

In the twilight Harry returned to Godric's Hollow. Rainbow trilled shortly, then spread out her wings and flew away. Harry looked after his phoenix and sauntered then through the garden.

Stepping on the terrace, he spotted Remus, who was currently busy to set the table. Remus smiled slightly and disappeared into the house. Harry turned to his father who sat in one of the rocking chairs.

"Why is Remus setting the table? Where are the house-elves?"

His father stood up and ran a hand through his hair. Then he took his arm and led him a few steps away from the terrace.

"Let him, Harry. He only wants to feel a bit useful. You know that he didn't get any work in the Ministry. While we're working as Aurors, he's sitting at home."

His father stifled a curse.

"I've spoken already a dozen times with Aderley. But it's just one of those things. Aderley seems quite sensible and approachable. But of course he doesn't want to lose his position as Minister of Magic. The only thing what he said, was, that it will perhaps look better in a few months, and all this only because Remus is a were-wolf. It's so unjust. During the war he was needed, but now…"

He shook his head.

"Well, we'll surely find a way out. Perhaps when the trials are finally over,something will arise. Come; rather tell me when you and Ginny will visit us again."

Casting a glance at his father, Harry shrugged.

"Probably soon. I'll let you know. And Dad, thank you," Harry said and searched for words to express his gratitude, but before he could ponder about this further, his father had put an arm around his shoulders.

"Harry, we are your family. You don't have to thank us. Besides it was also for me…"

His father halted and looked at him.

"Come often to Godric's Hollow. And bring with you whoever you like. Everyone will be welcomed."

Harry inclined his head and after a short hesitation he embraced his father. It was still strange, but gradually it became easier for Harry to show his affection.

"By the way, what I wanted to ask you, we surely have a lawyer, don't we?"

"A lawyer?" James let go off him and raised an eyebrow.

"For what do you need a lawyer?"

The worry of his father touched Harry and quickly he began to explain which deal he had made with the twins. As Harry had foreseen, James didn't reproach him. The contrary was the case.

"If you want we can visit him later. He's quite capable and managed our assets for centuries."

Harry nodded and while they went back to the terrace, Harry began to show interest for the Potter's fortune for the first time and asked some questions. It astonished him to learn how wealthy they truly were and that they owned several more houses, not to mention the family estate of the Potters that lay near the west coast.

James smiled slightly.

"I've to show you some day, though Lily never liked the castle. She always said that if you'd get lost there you'd need days to find the way out. We never lived there. It was Godric's Hollow that was our home."

After a pause he added,

"Come, let's eat and then we can go to Diagon Alley."

Two days later in the early evening Harry sneaked out of Hogwarts, met with the twins and introduced them to Maybery. The lawyer of his father was indeed worth his money, thought Harry amused.

After a short inspection of the building that Fred and George had chosen, he beat down the purchase price to the half by listing all kinds of flaws and basically left the poor seller no choice. Harry quietly laughed to himself as he watched.

And also the contract that Harry made with the twins, he certainly would have only concludedto Harry's favour if Harry hadn't interfered.

On no account he had the intention to impose on Fred and George to pay the borrowed money back to him within a year. If they should manage it, it was fine, if not as well.

As Fred and George had said good-bye and as Harry suspected had returned on fastest way to their new shop, he still talked with Maybery. And again Harry felt gratitude surging up in him as he realized which trust his father showed him and how much own money he had placed at his disposal.

As Harry strode through Diagon Alley a little later, he whistled to himself. Life was definitely beautiful.

Leaning against the tree, Harry suppressed a sigh. He still felt a slight uncomfortable feeling when thinking that the chamber was not longer known only to him and Ginny. But then he resolutely shook his head. Had he not sworn himself that he would not allow that his past would determine his future? And without his knowledge no-one could enter his chamber or leave it, anyway.

His gaze wandered to Neville who kneeled at the ground and made a deeply concentrated impression. As Ginny had asked for his help, his eyes had lit up and now he was enthusiastically at work.

Ginny and Hermione were planning the Halloween feast in the meantime, while Ron was quietly snoring. Gazing at Ginny, he listened to the sound of her voice and tried to keep an eye on Neville.

Though he had agreed to have a brook for Ginny's sake and even a waterfall, it didn't mean that he was willing to permit the garden, he had got used to, to be altered completely.

But besides of the brook and the waterfall Neville's changes were all relatively minor and yet they had a big effect. Harry was more than surprised of the result. Everything seemed to harmonize with each other to the littlest detail; even the different colours of the flowers complemented each other. If the garden had been beautiful earlier, so Neville had succeeded in transforming the garden into a little paradise. Ginny and Hermione were rapt and Harry didn't regret it any longer to have complied with Ginny's wish.

But when Hermione said with a wistful sigh that the garden would be the ideal place for learning, at least in summer, Harry quickly realized that he would have his chamber seldom for himself in the future. Ginny would not want to exclude her friends and Ginny's sparkling eyes chased away his anger. In the same moment he wondered about what he was actually so angry. Of course, Ginny and he would still find time to be undisturbed. Hermione and Ron were a couple as well, after all.

Perhaps it was because he was not used to share anything or to take consideration. And thus we would be again with my past, Harry thought cynically, and out of pure defiance and to prove himself that his past had no power over him anymore, he suppressed all uneasy feelings and that same evening suggested to Ginny to organize a little party in the garden.

Ginny stared at him unbelievingly. Her dark eyes with the golden spots he so loved widened.

"That would be great! But are you sure that you wouldn't mind?"

Harry nodded resolutely. He gently cupped Ginny's chin, kissed her and murmured then against her cheek.

"Yes, I'm sure, Gin."

"It would be a further step," he whispered and for a fleeting moment he wanted to tell her what he had kept secret from her, wanted that she knew about Voldemort's legacy.

But as he looked at Ginny, he realized that she had understood what he had meant. Whether it was that he had neglected to hide his feelings and she had seen something in his face or that she just thought she had to distract him from possible dark thoughts, suddenly she jumped up and walked through the garden.

"And I've already some ideas how we can decorate the garden," she said.

In the next days Ginny and Hermione often put their heads together and discussed things, but both refused unwaveringly to reveal anything to him. So that Harry frequently found himself in company of Ron or Damian.

As the week progressed, Harry noticed that the school became slowly but gradually more and more demanding. To his annoyance the time he spent with homework had doubled. And he was not the only one who noticed. As he left with Damian the dungeons on Thursday, the Head Boy sighed tiredly.

"It's really a pity that we are in the last year. To all appearances the teachers are out to let us not forget that for a moment. And Snape's homework was really all that we needed."

Harry nodded gloomily. The Potions teacher had hit upon the brilliant idea to give them several topics to choose from and then they should work on it in pairs and in the end they should not only have produced the analogous potion but as well pages and pages of an essay. Something that would take much preparation and research. He had been relieved as Damian had asked him whether they couldn't do it together.

"When shall we meet?" he asked.

Damian smiled slightly.

"So eager to start? But you're right. The faster we finish this, the earlier we've time to play Quidditch."

Since Ginny was busy to plan with Hermione their little feast anyway – as she had said there always something cropped up, let alone that Hermione could not forget her duties as head girl for even a minute – Harry met Damian in the library in the evening. Damian had already begun.

"Here, I've made some notes. Read them."

Taking the parchment from Damian, Harry resigned himself to another evening that would be wasted with school work. But in the end the evening turned out to be much more pleasant than he had thought it would be. Damian had a keen perception and they worked well together. They managed much in the span of two hours. And then Damian clapped the book shut and suggested to take a quick walk to Hogsmeade.

Glancing at his watch, Harry looked at Damian.

"To be here at time, we had to be quite fast."

Damian laughed and stood up.

"And? What is preventing us from doing so?"

Since the time was indeed rather short, it only was enough for one butterbeer. But as they hurried towards the castle, Harry was still glad that he had agreed. After two hours of concentrating work it was just the right thing. The thought of Potions, however, reminded Harry of something, as he was walking along the corridor after having said good-bye to Damian.

Assuming that Snape had not gone to bed yet, Harry set off to the dungeons to ask the former spy when he would be able to spare a bit time to impart the necessary knowledge to him that he was lacking to his chagrin.

Snape received him with indifferent face and if he was surprised about Harry's demand to give him extra lessons in Potions, so he didn't show it. But Harry was sure to have seen a fleeting relief in the black eyes. Not paying any further thought to it, Harry soon left the dungeons and wondered why he actually hadn't ordered Snape to take back the assignment, but Harry knew that he couldn't do that.

Do not think about that, he said to himself fiercely. It would not be right. To force Snape to teach him everything he knew would not harm the former spy and would be useful for him, but to interfere with Snape's teaching would be something different as tempting it might be.

And as the weekend came up with glaring sunshine, Harry didn't find it hard to direct his thoughts on something else.

As Harry stepped into his garden in the evening, he halted astonished. Everywhere colourful lights hovered in the air and Harry understood why Ginny and Hermione had insisted upon waiting for twilight to come.

On round, low tables little tidbits were piled up and from somewhere music could be heard. Aside from Neville, Ron and Hermione they had also invited Rebecca, Melanie, Ron's friends and Damian.

And to Harry's surprise he truly enjoyed the evening that turned out to be a great success. While slowly spinning around with Ginny in his arms and for the first time in his life actually dancing, he felt Ginny's warmth and just felt happy.